LATE BRIEFING

WASHINGTON, D.C.

Insurers OK with rule fix for children

The insurance industry says it won’t fight President Obama over fixing a coverage gap for kids in the new healthcare law.

In a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, the president of America’s Health Insurance Plans says insurers will accept new regulations to dispel uncertainty over a guarantee that children with preexisting medical problems can get coverage starting this year.

The law’s fine print was unclear on whether children were guaranteed coverage starting this year or had to wait until 2014.

-- associated press TENNESSEE

Man admits guilt in Obama plot

A man authorities say is a white supremacist pleaded guilty to plotting to kill then-presidential candidate Barack Obama and dozens of other black people in 2008.

Daniel Cowart, 21, of Bells faces 12 to 18 years in prison under a plea agreement, but a federal judge could choose a longer sentence.

Co-defendant Paul Schlesselman, 19, of Arkansas pleaded guilty in January and will be sentenced April 15.

-- associated press MARYLAND

Court costs for late Marine’s dad

The father of a Marine killed in Iraq has been ordered to pay court costs for anti-gay protesters who picketed his son’s funeral, his lawyers said.

The U.S. 4th Circuit Court of Appeals ordered Albert Snyder of York, Pa., to pay $16,510 to Fred Phelps, leader of the Westboro Baptist Church, which picketed Marine Lance Cpl. Matthew Snyder’s funeral in 2006.

The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to consider whether the protesters’ message is protected by the 1st Amendment or limited by the privacy and religious rights of the mourners.

Snyder’s attorneys said he is struggling to pay his own legal fees.

-- associated press